T  X 

941 
S3A3 


UC-NRLF 


B   ^   S7T   EMS 


z:sjV  yot 


oo 

C" 

Q 


GIFT   OF 
A.    F.    Morrison 


Clje  S>t.  laegis  i^otel 


i  *   t   L.  hi  S  ™         jri5il>-ii£^f??^a 


HOTEL  ST.  REGIS 
Fi/i/i  Avenue  and  Fiftii-Fiflh  Street,  New  York 


1!C!)e  ^t  3R.egi)S  ^ottl 


fiftti  2l\)tmt  anD  Jfiftp- Jfiftl)  street 
Jl5ctri  gorft  Cttp 


Booms,  $3.00  per  Dai;  uptuavUs 
Cable  ^tUUrcsfi  :  "  ^aintrrgts  " 


^t.lRegt^  i^otel  Companp 

E.  9d*  l&aan,  i;5)rcsiDcnt 


GIFT  OP 
fir.    i^o^f^/s^J 

Copi/right,  VM5,  hij  the  St.  Regis  Hotel  Co. 


TX  ?V/ 


Printed  by  The  Grafton  Press,  New  York 


Clje  ^t.  aaegts  l^otet 


N  writing  of  the  St.  Regis  Hotel  it  is  necessary  to  remember 
that  we  are  deahng  not  with  a  type  of  ordinary  hotel,  but  with 
the  sohition  of  a  social  problem  forced  on  us  by  the  conditions 
of  the  present  day.  Time  was  when  the  hotel  implied  a  mere 
shelter  for  the  traveler;  in  these  days,  however,  it  must  also 
reckon  with  the  people  with  good  homes,  who  frequently  find 
it  convenient  to  close  their  houses  for  a  week  or  a  few  months; 
people  to  whom 

the  thought  of  dispens- 
ing with  home  comforts, 

good  service  and  cuisine, 

and  the  atmosphere  of  taste 

and  refinement  has   ever 

been  a  hardship.  To  cater 

specifically  to  this  class  of 

Americans    at   reasonable 

terms,  without  neglecting 

the  guest   of    the  single 

night  or  week,  nor  even  the 

most  casual  diner-out,  was 

the  idea  of  ^Nlr.  Haan,  the 

president  and  the  guiding 

spirit  of  the  company.    Of 

its   endorsement    by   Col. 

John  Jacob  iVstor  and  the 

professional     cooperation 

of  the  architects,  Messrs. 

Trowbridge  &  Livingston, 

the  St.  Regis  at  Fifty-fifth 

Street  and   Fifth  Avenue 

stands  as  the  monument. 


ONE  OF  THE   BRONZE  REVOLVING  DOORS 


[7] 


TVil0309B 


Cl)e  ^t*  Ee0t$  ^otel 


MAIN  OFFICE  AND  LOBBY 
Walls  of  real  French  Caen  stone 


At  the  outset  it  should  be  stated  that  no  morbid  desire  for  mere  oriffi- 
nality  actuated  the  architectural  designers  of  the  St.  Regis.  In  modern 
times  architecture,  so  to  say,  has  become  specialized:  every  edifice  affects 
a  character  of  its  own,  and  it  is  considered  an  evidence  of  taste  and  skill 
to  have  succeeded  in  clearly  indicating  the  purport  of  a  structure.  This 
the  designers  of  the  St.  Regis  have  accomplished  in  a  building  bold  and 
picturesque,  but  beyond  that  everything  is  subordinated  to  the  one  idea 
of  j)rodiicing  a  desirable  and  comfortable  abode.  Nor  was  it  considered 
appropriate  to  bestow  any  great  amount  of  ornamentation  on  the  ex- 
terior of  the  eighteen-story  limestone  structure  —  altliough  the  beautiful 
bronze  Marquises  are  notable — the  effect  being  one  of  mass  and  surface 
rather  than  of  detail.  A  balcony  on  the  level  of  the  third  floor,  and  courses 
of  heavily  rusticated  masonry  from  the  ground  uj^  to  that  level,  give  dis- 

[«] 


Clje  ^t^  Kegis!  ^otel 


EXTRAN'CE  TO   ELEVATORS.   MAIN   FLOOR 


tinction  and  definition.  The  interior  plan,  however,  provides  every 
room  of  the  hotel  with  ample  air  and  light,  and  gives  every  room  an  out- 
side view,  opening,  on  its  upper  floors,  on  a  clear  vista  of  street,  city  and 
park.  All  rooms  are  of  good  size,  the  large  ones  measuring  19  by  20  feet, 
and  each  has  its  bathroom  and  abundant  closet  room. 

The  St.  Regis  covers  a  plot  of  20,000  square  feet,  and  at  present  is 
the  tallest  hotel  in  New  York.  Its  location  is  well  chosen,  for,  while 
situated  in  the  heart  of  the  best  residential  section  of  New  York,  on  the 
city's  fashionable  driveway  and  within  four  blocks  of  Central  Park,  it  is 
easily  accessible  from  all  directions,  and  most  of  the  city's  best  stores,  as 
well  as  the  amusement  resorts,  are  within  easy  walking  distance.  For 
those  who  prefer  to  drive,  an  efficient  carriage  service  is  ready  night  and  day. 

[9] 


C6e  ^t*  iae0i$  ^otel 


A  new  standard  of  excellence  in  accommodations  is  evident  through- 
out the  building,  while  in  blending  the  utilitarian  with  the  artistic  features 
harmony  is  the  jiriiicipal  impression  sought.  The  structure,  the  equip- 
ment, the  materials  in  which  it  is  finished,  the  decorations,  the  furniture, 
the  various  provisions  for  light  and  air,  all  bear  a  part  of  the  ensemble, 
and  with  all  modesty  it  may  be  said  that  as  an  example  of  excellence  the 
St.  Regis  need  fear  no  comparison  with  any  public  or  private  building 
in  this  city,  certainly  not  with  any  hotel  the  world  over.  To  particularize 
the  esthetic  features  is  reserved  until  later  in  this  article,  but  generally 
speaking  it  may  be  said  that  the  style  of  the  interior  is  that  of  Louis  XV 
and  XVI,  which  periods  —  as  exemplified  particularly  at  Versailles  —  are 
still  the  unrivaled  examples  of  artistic  quintessence.  In  minor  respects 
the  style  was  not  followed  with  extreme  rigor,  the  departure,  so  to  say. 


MAIN"  STAIRCASE   FROM  LOBBY 
Ornamental  balustrade  of  statuary  bronze 

[101 


Cl)e  ^t.  iacffi0  l^otel 


LADIES'  RESTAURANT,  FIFTY-FIFTH  STREET  SIDE 

Ceilings  in  dull  gold  with  festooned  electric  lights;  mirrors  framed  in  bronze,  walls  of  Pavanazzo, 

Bresche  Violette,  and  Serpentine  marbles 


being  in  a  number  of  practical  observations  in  keeping  with  the  require- 
ments and  purposes  of  the  building. 

Dwelling  first  on  the  utilitarian  features,  Mr.  Haan,  fortunately,  was 
of  the  opinion  that  the  use  of  permanent  materials  warranted  the  entailed 
additional  expense,  and  in  consequence  no  structure  has  ever  been  erected 
wliicli  presents  a  more  substantial  reach  towards  the  double  aim  of  safety 

[U] 


^bc  ^t*  Eegig  llDotcI 


[i.r 


Cbe  ^t.  Ee0l0  ^otel 


"THE  OAK  ROOM" 
Paneled  thruuyhuut  in  quartered  English  oak 


and  cleanliness.     In  the  most  modest  servant's  pantry  the  finish  could 
not  be  more  substantial  or  serviceable. 

Additional,  for  instance,  to  the  wisely  manifold  and  elaborate  pre- 
cautions of  the  authorities  to  protect  the  structure  against  fire  —  including 
metal  sashes  and  window  frames,  and  fire-proofed  wood,  —  the  manage- 
ment has  done  more  than  it  was  obliged  to  do.  The  corridor  and  main 
stairway,  the  door  trims  on  all  floors,  halls,  and  bathrooms,  are  of  marble, 
the  floors  where  they  are  covered  witli  carpet  are  of  cement,  the  elevator 
doors,  stair  balustrades,  and  grilles  are  of  bronze,  and  so  throughout  the 

[14] 


C!)e  ^t*  Ee0i$  ^otel 


CORRIDOR  BETWEEN  MAIN  LOBBY  AND  RESTAURANT 
In  Islrian  and  French  marbles 


house.  Even  the  picture  moldings,  which  do  not  usually  receive  specific 
attention,  are  of  fire-proof  wood.  The  materials  used  are  such  as  to  be 
safe  and  to  endure,  —  irrelevantly  they  are  also  self-remunerative  in 
obviating  repairs  of  all  kinds  for  years  to  come.  To  further  dispel  the 
last  vestige  of  fear  of  fire,  alarms  are  conveniently  and  conspicuously 
displayed  throughout  the  building,  and  the  employees  are  put  through 
regular  fire  drills  at  frequent  intervals.  Direct  electrical  connection  is 
made  with  the  fire  department  of  the  district. 

Cleanliness  and  safety  were  also  the  guiding  principles  in  avoiding  paint 

[15] 


Clje  ^t.  1^0010  ^otel 


as  far  as  possible,  and  inconsequence  the  doors,  base-boards,  and  the  Hke  are 
of  mahogany,  while  the  bathrooms  (the  most  modest  bedroom  in  the  house 
has  its  batliroom)  are  tiled,  and  contain  ])orcelain  tubs,  oj)en  quadruple-sil- 
ver-])lated  ])lumbing,  and  a  separate  thermostat,  the  only  exception  being  the 
bathroom  in  the  state  apartment  suite,  which  is  throughout  of  marble. 

To  the  department  of  cleanliness  and  safety  belong  also  two  features, 
which  in  the  St.  Regis  are  exploited  for  the  first  time  to  their  full  extent, 
—  the  arrangement  for  pure  air  and  the  disj^osition  of  dust  and  refuse. 
There  is  installed  a  system  of  forced  ventilation  combined  with  indirect 


LADIES'  RECEPTION-ROOM,   MAIN   FLOOR 
Treated  in  style  of  Louis  XIV,  woodwork  in  Circassian  ivalnut,  uhiUs  covered  ivith  rich  Lyons  brocades 

[16] 


^bc  ^t.  ntQi$  lE)otcl 


-MAIN   CORRIDOR,  SECOND   FLOOR,   LKAIMNG    i  U   BALL  ROOM 
Panels  in  Pavanazzo  marble;  bronze  ornaments^ 


[17] 


Cl)e  ^t.  llcgi$  l^otcl 


IHK   MAIN   SALON  ON  THE  SECOND   1T.OOR 

Tfie  massive  mantel  is  built  of  lircschc  Viokttc  marble.     The  ivoodwork  is  of  Circassian  walnut,  relieved 

with  (jold.     Embroidered  church  vestments  are  spread  about  on  the  consoles  and  tables 


radiation  which  gives  throughout  the  iHiilding  a  supply  of  pure,  fresh 
air,  warmed  or  cooled  as  the  weatlicr  may  require.  Ou  every  four  or 
five  stories  chambers  have  been  j)rovided  wherein  the  outer  air  enters,  is 
filtered  through  cheese-cloth  filters,  warmed  by  passing  over  steam  coils, 
and  then  circulated  by  electric  motors  through  ducts  to  the  various  rooms. 
The  outlets  in  the  rooms  are  concealed  in  unobtrusive  gratings  in  the 
walls  or  in  the  ornamental  bronze  work  that   plays   a   large  part  in  the 

[18] 


C  t)e  ^t.  Eegi0  l^otel 


RECEPTION-ROOM,  SECOND   FLOOR 

In  gray  enamel.     The  Aubusson  furniture  is  a  copy  of  the 

Petit  Trianon,  representing  the  fables  of  La  Fontaine 


decorations.  The  guest  may  regulate  the  temperature  in  his  room  }:)y 
means  of  an  automatic  thermostat.  A  continual  circulation  of  air  is 
maintained  throughout  the  building,  night  and  day:  there  are  no  drafts, 
no  atmospheric  chills  to  fear;  in  point  of  fact  the  guest  need  never  open 
his  window  to  be  supplied  with  an  abundant  quantity  of  pure  air.  This 
system  is  a  great  advance  over  the  old-time  coils  that  are  noisy  and  ugly 
and  somewhat  uncertain  in  the  amount  of  heat  supplied.  The  impure 
air  is  effectively  discharged  by  exhaust  fans. 

The  device  for  sweeping  is  a  pneumatic  arrangement.  Instead  of 
operating  a  sweeper  or  broom,  and  later  dusting  with  a  cloth,  which 
procedure  to   a   large  extent  merely  circulates  the   dust  without  remov- 

[Vj  ] 


Cf)e  ^t.  Hegisf  l^otel 


PUBLIC   PARLOR,  SKCOND   FLOOR 
This  room  is  finished  in  white  mahogamj  and  shows  the  specially  woven  tapestry  in  the  panels 


ing  it,  the  maid  at  the  St.  Regis  attaches  a  small  flexible  pipe  to  an  outlet 
found  .in  every  room  or  hall,  connecting  with  a  system  of  pi})es  leading  to 
vacuum  pumps.  When  she  a})plies  the  nozzle  of  the  pipe  to  furniture 
or  wall,  the  dust  and  impurities  are  sucked  down  to  the  basement  where 
they  are  properly  disposed  of.  The  question  of  plum})ing  is  a  vital  one, 
and  the  most  elaborate  precautions  have  been  used  to  ensure  absolute 
purity  in  this  respect. 

[20] 


tlLbt  ^t.  UtQifi  I0otel 


All  these  arrangements  for  heat,  light,  filters,  etc.,  necessarily  require 
a  most  elaborate  organization,  an  insight  into  which  will  give  the  fact 
that  the  chief  engineer  of  the  St.  Regis  has  a  staff  of  thirty-six  men  under 
him.  Their  ])resence,  like  that  of  the  stoker  on  the  steamship,  is  notice- 
able only  in  their  absence.  Below  the  earth's  surface  are  two  stories  de- 
voted to  the  maze  of  engines,  boilers,  dynamos,  ice  machines,  etc.,  that 
are  necessary  to  the  operation  of  a  hotel,  and  to  the  storage  of  the  great 
stocks  of  food  and  wine.  The  machinery  room  is  equipped  with  the 
latest  machinery,  and  is  considered  in  the  scientific  world  far  superior  to 
anything  yet  constructed. 

Decidedly  to  the  utilitarian  features  of  a  hotel  belong  the  kitchen  and 
wine  cellar,  for,  without  ])roper  facilities,  the  best  of  chefs  is  helpless, 
particularly  at  serving  hour,  where  the  demands  of  hundreds  of  people 
must  be  attended  to  simultaneously  and  with  particular  attention  to  each 


CORNER  IX    1. API  IS    WRmNG-ROOM 

The  grill-icork  in  cove  above  the  parcel  is  a  part 

oj  the  system  of  heating  and  ventilating 

[22] 


Cl)c  ^t,  Regis  l^otcl 


o  •s 

<  -S 

P5 

o   « 

<  e 
K    S 

a  ^ 
^  5 


[2.3] 


Ct)c  ^t,  Ee0i0  pottl 


guest.  Appreciating  the  importance,^ — for  the  St.  Regis'  motto  is 
"The  kitchen  is  the  soul  of  the  hotel;  if  the  kitchen  is  wrong  all  is  wrong," 
- —  a  well  arranged  sjiacious  apartment  is  ])rovi(le(l,  the  floor  being  of 
marble,  the  walls  and  ceilings  tiled,  the  counters  of  glass,  and  there  is 
nothing  perishable  or  anything  that  is  hard  to  keep  clean.  There  is  a 
special  place  for  every  phase  of  the  work;  the  fish  cook,  the  soup  cook, 
the  roast  cook,  the  pastry  cook,  each  has  his  headcjuarters,  and,  generally 
s})eaking,  the  St.  Regis  kitchen  has  no  du})licate  in  the  world.  "Fine 
workmen,"  says  Mr.  Haan,  "must  have  fine  tools."  Each  floor  of  the 
hotel  contains  a  service  pantry,  equijjped  with  dumb-waiters,  and  every- 
thing necessary  to  keep  the  food  hot  while  serving  dinner  in  a  guest's 
room,  if  so  be  his  pleasure,  the  order  having  been  shot  to  the  kitchen  by 
a  pneumatic  tube  with  which  every  pantry  is  provided.  Since  the  St. 
Regis  makes  a  feature  of  catering  also  to  permanent  guests  who  will  wish 
to  entertain  their  friends  at  dinner,  this  is  a  great  advantage. 

And  now  let  us  in  fancy  enter  the  St.  Regis  by  its  heavy  bronze  doors, 
and  take  a  superficial  observation  of  the  care  and  foresight  spent  on  the 
endeavor  to  make  the  refined,  comfort-loving  American  feel  at  home. 
Without  exception  it  is  the  most  aristocratically  simple  and  noble  of  the 
many  efforts  to  create  tasteful  elegance.  The  idea  has  long  been 
common  that  suflficient  evidence  of  taste  is  given  by  the  adoption  of 
certain  beautiful  objects,  and  we  have  been  induced  to  accept  a  few 
common  formulas  as  the  expression  of  good  taste.  In  truth,  however, 
taste  consists  in  the  faculty  to  seize  the  fitting  relation  of  things,  and  it 
is  in  this  respect  that  the  St.  Regis  stands  preeminent.  In  the  language 
addressed  to  the  eye,  the  surroundings  spell  an  invitation  to  the  guest  to 
make  himself  at  home  and  be  comfortable.  The  effect  might  be  called 
eye  music.  "Taste,"  says  Balzac,  "is  composed  of  two  'pieces  mai- 
tresses, '  whose  juxtaposition  is  necessary  for  its  constitution:  a  sensi- 
bility to  the  impression  of  the  eye  and  ear,  and  a  feeling  of  the  esthetic 
conditions  of  every  object." 

The  main  entrance  and  the  general  office  have  been  treated  with  much 
sobriety,  and  the  effect  is  business-like  and  simj)le,  yet  handsome.  There 
are  two  bronze  revolving  doors,  one  on  each  side  of  the  office.  One  of  these 
entrances  is  opposite  the  door  leading  into  the  tea  room,  the  other  opposite 

[24] 


^bt  ^t.  Eegis  ii)otcI 


PRIVATE  DINING-ROOM 

Paneled  in  Circassian  walnut,  chairs  covered  with  illuminated  Spanish  leather 


[25] 


Cfte  ^t,  Ee0i0  pottl 


the  door  leading  into  the  cafe.  The  eye  is  instantly  attracted  by  a  heavy 
Kurdish  rug,  a  niaster])iece  of  its  kind,  and  where  the  floor  is  not  covered 
it  is  seen  to  be  of  Irish  marble,  laid  in  an  elaborate  pattern.  There  is  a 
dado  of  light  brown  shaded  marble,  which  stops  about  three  feet  from 
the  floor,  and  above,  the  walls  are  finished  in  real  Caen  stone,  which,  be- 
cause of  its  warm  color  and  pleasant  surface,  is  most  desirable  for  interior 
finish.  Every  ])iece  of  metal,  electrolier,  balustrade,  whatever  it  may  be, 
here  or  elsewhere,  throughout  the  house,  is  a  separate,  individual  work 
of  art.  An  immense  safe,  in  which  are  specially  arranged  steel  safety 
boxes  for  the  protection  of  the  guests'  valuables,  is  also  noticeable,  and 
right  here  it  should  be  mentioned  that  in  addition  to  the  latest  modern 
a})})liances  for  scientific  comfort,  !;he  older  utilitarian  features,  such  as 
mail  chutes,  telephones  in  every  room,  etc.,  have  been  provided  through- 
out the  hotel. 

To  the  right,  on  the  Fifth  Avenue  frontage,  is  the  main  dining-room, 
perhaps  the  most  sumptuous  apartment  in  the  building,  but  the  splendor 
of  effect  is  well  studied  and  the  sin  of  decorative  excess  is  not  in  evidence. 


A  TYPICAL  CORRIDOR 
Walls  of  Italian  marble 


[26] 


Cbe  ^t.  Eegi0  ^otel 


■^  s 


ei 


o 
1-1 
< 

<      r 


[27] 


Cfte  ^t.  Regis  !l)otcl 


The  walls  are  lined  with  marble,  and  the  south  wall  carries  a  large  mirror. 
The  ceiling  is  domed,  wrought  into  an  elaborate  pattern,  and  gilded 
soberly,  vet  not  dull  or  colorless.  Add  to  this  a  cheerful  red  carpet, 
bright  crystal  electroliers,  chairs  u})liolstered  in  red  silk  brocade,  and  the 
festive  appearance  is  complete,  without  a  discordant  note.  Each  detail 
keeps  its  place  by  a  consistently  realized  general  design,  and  the  effect 
of  the  whole,  while  gay,  as  it  should  be,  is  free  from  bizarrcrics.  In  this 
connection  it  should  be  stated  that  the  china  and  glass  service  at  the 
St.  Regis  is  unrivaled.  The  tableware  is  all  from  the  Royal  AVorcester 
and  Minton  factories,  especially  designed,  and  a  departure  is  the  intro- 


LIBRARY  OF  STATE  SUITE,  LOUIS  XVI 
Showing  entrance  to  Salon 

[28] 


Cfte  %t.  Eegis  ^otel 


ANOTHER  VIEW  OF  MAIN  SALON,  STATE  SUITE 


duction  of  a  service  plate  which  is  a  reproduction  of  one  of  the  most 
famous  Royal  Sevres.  The  quality  of  the  spotless  linen  used  throughout 
is  unimpeachable.  The  silverware  of  special  design  is  greatly  admired. 
To  repeat  an  earlier  statement,  the  St.  Regis  considers  the  cuisine  and 
dining  facilities  one  of  the  most  im]jortant  factors  of  a  first-class  hotel, 
and  the  most  fastidious  attention  is  given  to  all  the  details  of  kitchen  and 
cellar,  the  vaults  being  replete  with  a  large  selection  ranging  from  the 
every-day  claret  to  the  choicest  vintages.  Competent  musicians  per- 
form during  dining  hours.  It  is  no  exaggeration  to  say  that  the  St.  Regis 
cuisine  is  one  of  the  epicurean  features  of  New  York  for  luncheon  and 

[29] 


Cbe  ^t.  Eegtis  l^otel 


PRIVATE  DINING-ROOM   OF  STATE  SUITE,  LOUIS  XVI,  DARK  AMERICAN  OAK 


dinner  as  well  as  for  the  after-theater  supper,  the- prices    being  those 
standard  at  all  first-class  hotels. 

Connecting  with  the  dining-room  is  the  tea  room,  which  occupies  the 
floor  of  the  court  of  the  hotel  and  is  consequently  lighted  from  above  by 
stained  glass.  The  creamy  Caen  stone  above  the  Istrian  marble  dado 
on  one  side  is  reflected  in  a  line  of  fiYCi\\  mirrors  on  the  other.  Overhead 
is  a  series  of  lunettes,  painted  by  Mr.  Robert  Van  Vorst  Sewell.  They 
tell  the  story  of  Cupid  and  Psyche  and  harmonize  excellently  with  the 
color  scheme  of  the  room  (illustrated  on  pages  40-41).  A  distinct  air  of 
coziness  pervades  the  tea  room  with  its  small  tables  and  comfortable  chairs. 

[30] 


Ci)e  ^t»  Ecgis  IDotel 


■VII '^    -timi* 


31] 


Cbe  ^t.  Hcgi$  ll)otel 


LOUIS  XV  PARLOR 


The  cafe  adjoinino;  tlie  tea  room  is  a  liigli  apartniejit  paneled  tliroiigh- 
oiit  in  quartered  English  oak  and  has  an  intimate  air.  The  style  is 
Elizabethan.  Here  are  hung  three  of  the  series  of  four  notable  sixteenth 
century  Flemish  tapestries  depicting  incidents  in  the  life  of  Solomon. 
They  were  woven  by  Van  Zeunen  of  Brussels,  and  procured  from  a  church 
in  Cremona,  where  they  had  hung  for  a  couple  of  centuries.  The  fourth 
is  in  the  white  ball  room  above.       (See  illustrations,  pages  43  to  4G.) 

To  the  left  as  you  enter  fiom  Fifty-fifth  Street  is  also  a  cozy  waiting 
room,  and  in  the  corridor  is  a  well  appointed  news  stand  where  the  latest 
periodicals  and  fiction  may  be  found. 

[32] 


Cf)e  ^t»  Eegig  ^otel 


Ascending  to  the  next  floor  either  by  one  of  the  four  elevators  or  ])y 
the  marble  stairway  with  its  attractive  electrolier,  we  find  the  whole  Fifty- 
fifth  Street  side  given  over  to  a  series  of  public  apartments,  grading  from 
the  magnificent  banquet  hall  down  to  a  series  of  reception  and  sitting 
rooms,  which  may  be  used  either  in  connection  with  entertainments  given 
in  the  banqueting  hall  or  separately.  They  play  a  large  part  in  the 
fashionable  entertainments  given  by  New  York  society.  IJke  the 
restaurant  below%  the  walls  of  the  banqueting  hall,  which  is  also  the  ball 
room,    are   paneled    in   fine   Blanco   P.    marble,    separated    by   pilasters 


LOUIS  XV  BEDROOM 
[33] 


€:bt  ^t.  Eegis  !J)oteI 


crownetl  witli  capitals  of  bronze.  The  marble  used  is  dull  white  whicli 
takes  its  place  more  modestly  than  the  other  kind.  Rich  yellow  and 
white  Venetian  damask  han(rino;s  relieve  the  marble,  and  at  a  dance  or 
dinner,  when  the  heavy  crvstal  electroliers  shed  their  mellow  liirht  and  the 
variegated  costumes  of  the  ladies  contribute  to  the  ensemble,  the  effect 
is  most  artistic  and  fairy  like. 

One  of  the  reception  rooms  is  a  very  handsome  and  original  a])art- 
ment,  paneled  throughout  in  Circassian  walnut,  the  panels  being  worked 
into  patterns  and  gilded;  the  other  is  in  wdiite  mahogany  with  panels  of 
silk  that  took  prizes  at  the  Paris  Exposition. 

Connecting  is  the  library  w  ith  well  stocked  book  shelves.  The  soft, 
heavy  rugs  on  the  floor,  the  polished  bookcases,  the  comfortable  chairs  and 
the  rich  curtains  make  an  attractive  retreat.  Another  recej^tion  room, 
finished  in  light  gray  and  of  Louis  XVI  design,  contains  a  set  of  Aubusson 
tapestries,  illustrating  La  Fontaine's  fables,  a  replica  of  that  at  the  Trianon. 

In  these  three  rooms  one  notices  agreeably  the  precious  collection  of 
antique  and  modern  furniture,  hangings,  bric-a-brac  and  general  art 
objects  with  w^hich  the  St.  Regis  is  so  generously  supplied  and  which  help 
to  give  that  spirit  of  esthetic  refinement  that  is  so  characteristically  present 
in  the  home  of  a  man  of  taste  and  culture  and  so  necessary  to  his  com- 
plete comfort.  Heretofore  hotels  have  given  little  attention  to  such 
matters;  ornate  as  have  been  their  public  rooms,  the  effect  always  was  a 
bit  monotonous,  commercial,  and  chilling  in  its  austerity.  The  St.  Regis, 
however,  brightens  each  room  w^ith  some  special  and  individual  touch, 
])utting  itself  in  the  position  of  a  host,  endeavoring  to  make  his  guest  feel 
at  home.  Every  one  of  the  hundreds  of  ornaments  scattered  about  the 
different  floors  was  selected  on  its  own  particular  merit  and  fitness,  and 
to  that  end  ]Mr.  Ilaan  spent  years  of  search  in  the  art  centers  of  Europe. 
Furniture  or  hangings  have  been  either  specially  designed  or  selected  for 
the  ])laces  the}'(jccupy,and  in  the  three  rooms  referred  to  as  well  as  through- 
out the  building  the  result  of  this  foresight  and  taste  is  agreeably  evident. 
There  is  no  confusion,  no  contradiction  of  colors ;  here  again  each  detail 
keeps  its  place  by  a  consistently  realized  general  arrangement.  Here  it 
is  a  ta])estry  that  the  visitor  admires;  there  an  old  crimson  velvet  altar 
cloth,  a  Royal  Dresden  vase;  again,  perchance,  it  is  the  marble  mantel- 

[34] 


Ci)e  ^t.  Eeffi$  ©otel 


PARLOR  OF  AN 

ORDINARY   SUITE, 

LOUIS  XVI 


BEDROOM  OF 

ORDINARY    SUITE, 

LOUIS     X\T 


[35] 


Cbe  ^t*  Eegl0  t^otel 


piece  in  the  reception-room,  that  attracts  him.  Suffice  that  while  the 
rooms  constitute  a  unity  of  effect  each  one  is  designed  for  the  sj)ecial 
purpose  it  is  to  fulfil.  The  architect,  the  artisan,  the  decorator,  and  the 
guiding  artistic  spirit  have  clearly  gone  hand  in  hand,  and  the  value  of 
this  coo{)eration  is  evident  in  the  general  excellence,  whether  in  the  ban- 
quet hall  or  in  the  smallest  bedroom.  No  ])ublic  nor  private  building 
has  claim  to  a  higher  standard  in  this  respect.  Nowhere  can  the  charge 
be  made  of  over  ostentation  or  that  for  one  instant  comfort  was  made 
to  yield  to  display. 

After  the  social  halls,  no  feature  of  the  St.  Regis  is  so  interesting  as 


BEDROOM    IN    STYLE    OF    LOUIS    XVI 
Furniture  in  Circassian  icalniit 

[36] 


CDe  %t.  Ee0l!8i  ^otel 


BEDROOM 

IN  STYLE   OF 

LOUIS  XV 


PARLOR 

IN  STYLE  OF 

LOUIS  XV 


[37] 


Ci)e  ^t.  iae0l$  ^otel 


the  State  apartment,  which  is  situated  on  the  third  floor  of  the  building. 
With  perfect  frankness,  the  acme  of  luxury,  consistent  with  refinement 
and  comfort,  was  the  result  aimed  at,  it  being  desirable  to  produce  a 
suite  where  the  city  might  entertain  an  honored  guest  or  where  the  ordi- 
nary gourmet  of  comfort  would  find  quarters  unrivaled  in  standard  of 
excellence  the  world  over.  The  apartment  consists  of  two  bedrooms, 
dining-room,  reception-room,  salon  and  bathroom.  The  salon  is  in  pure 
Louis  XVI  style,  with  carved  woodwork  of  an  exquisite  French  gray, 
ivory  white  in  the  high  lights,  the  walls  paneled  in  cherry  brocade,  espe- 
cially woven  for  the  St.  Regis.  The  furniture  is  a  set  of  antique  Aubusson, 
with  flower  decorations,  and  is  considered  unique. 

Connecting  with  the  salon  is  the  library  of  the  suite,  with  panels  of 
green  damask  and  woodwork  of  French  walnut.  The  dining-room  is  a 
masterpiece  of  ornamental  simplicity,  in  its  carvings  of  American  oak 


A    rVl'lCAL  BATHROOM 

Tiled  walls  and  marble  floors;  all  pliindnmj  fixttirei 
quadruple  silrer-platrd 

[38] 


Cl)e  ^t*  Ee0t$  I^otel 


and  specially  designed  chairs  npholstered  in  cut  velvet  brocade.  The 
two  bedrooms  are  on  either  side  of  the  marble  bathroom.  The  room 
intended  for  "my  lady"  naturally  is  the  more  sumptuous,  the  color 
scheme  being  of  delicate  shades  of  blue  in  brocaded  taj^estry  harmonizing 
with  the  ormolu-mounted  tulip  wood  of  which  the  bed  and  the  rest  of  the 
furniture  in  the  room  are  made.  The  other  bedroom  is  keyed  in  old  rose, 
the  wood  employed  being  Circassian  walnut.  The  furniture  in  these  bed- 
rooms, as  well  as  most  of  that  on  the  second  floor,  is  from  the  famous 
firm  of  Jansen  of  Paris. 

The  fifteen  floors  above  the  third  are  devoted  to  guests'  living-rooms 
and  are  divided  into  single  rooms  with  bath,  and  into  suites.  There  are 
eighty  salons  in  the  house,  each  containing  luxurious  couches  and  chairs, 
each  piece  designed  to  be  attractive  and  festive  in  appearance,  as  well  as 
comfortable,  harmonious,  and  substantial.    The  furniture  and  hangings  for 


MAIN  KITCHEN 
Walls  and  ceiling  tiled ;  floors  marble;  all  plumbing  solid  polished  brass;  counters  glass  and  German  silver 

[39] 


Cfte  %t*  Kegi0  l^otel 


Copyrighl,  n^oj,  R.  V.  V.  Sewell 


ONE  OF  THE  LUNETTES:  TEA  ROOM 


C.  Klackner,  I'ublistier 


them  have  largely  been  especially  designed,  and  are  mostly  of  American 
make.  Many  of  the  suites  contain  a  Steinway  piano  and  a  well  filled 
case  of  bric-a-brac,  with  here  a  piece  of  Royal  Dresden  or  Sevres,  there 
a  cloisonne  vase  on  silver  or  gold,  a  Pompeiian  vessel,  a  Japanese  carving, 
etc.  The  walls  of  the  salons  are  covered  with  fabrics,  but  in  bedrooms 
where  paper  is  used  the  quality  is  of  the  best.  In  the  halls  and  rooms, 
unostentatiously  placed,  are  works  of  art,  be  they  bronzes  by  Barye,  from 
the  famous  Barbedienne  foundry,  old  Roman  lamps  transformed  into 
modern  electroliers,  or  what  not.  Conspicuous  are  the  numerous  old 
rare  French  prints,  in  especially  designed  liand-made  gilt  frames.  The 
equipment  of  every  room  also  includes  a  magnetic  clock,  in  mercury  gilt 
cases,  careful  arrangements  liaving  been  made  to  regulate  these  time- 
pieces from  the  office  of  the  chief  engineer,  in  which  tlie  master  clock  is 
situated.  Correct  time  is  furnished  from  tlie  Western  Union  every  day. 
The  most  modest  bedroom  in  the  St.  Regis  is  ])lanned  to  make  the 
guest  comfortable;  a  good  bed,  neat  furniture,  am])le  closet  room,  con- 
necting bathroom  and  toilet,  and  a  few  signed  etchings  on  the  walls  being 

[40] 


tE:ht  ^t.  Eegt$  ^otel 


Copyright,  1903,  R.  V.  \'.  Sewcll 


ONE  OF  THE  LUNETTES:  TEA  ROOM 


C.  Klackner,  Publisher 


regarded  as  essential.  It  may  be  added  that  one  hundred  of  the  original 
Boydell  engravings  illustrating  Shakespeare  are  distributed  through  the 
house.  The  rarity  of  these  pictures  will  appeal  strongly  to  the  connois- 
seur. All  the  furniture  is  of  the  best  style  of  the  cabinet-maker's  art, 
and  appropriate  draperies  are  at  the  windows. 

In  a  hotel  like  the  St.  Regis  the  domestic  organization  naturally 
plays  an  important  part;  no  untrained  servant  is  allowed  to  learn  at  the 
expense  of  the  guests;  be  it  chambermaid,  waiter,  or  porter,  the  domes- 
tics are  selected  with  special  care,  assuring  complete  satisfaction. 

If  the  St.  Regis  shows  anything,  it  shows  the  great  advance 
within  the  past  few  years  towards  hotel  life.  Americans  live  in  hotels, 
not  literally,  of  course,  but  among  no  people  in  the  w^orld  is  hotel  life  so 
general  as  here,  —  for  one  reason  because  Americans  of  all  classes  are 
great  travelers;  for  another,  because,  as  already  mentioned,  we  find  it 
necessary  or  convenient  to  close  our  houses  for  a  day  or  a  month,  or  simply 
dine  at  a  hotel  as  a  matter  of  preference.  To  meet  these  various  conditions 
the  St.  Regis  has  been  carefully  equipped  on  the  broad  principle  of  fur- 

[41] 


Ct)e  ^t*  Ee0i0  ^ote( 


FRENCH  TAl'L^lRV 


[44] 


tlLl^t  ^t.  Eegi0  potzl 


XVI  CENTURY   FLEMISH  TAPESTRIES 

BY   VAN   ZEUNEN,   BRUSSELS 

"Proclamation  of  King  Solomon  and  sacrifices  offered  in  his  honor  " 


[43] 


Cfje  ^t»  Eegf0  ©otel 


XVI  CENTURY  FLEMISH  TAPESTRIES 

BY   VA>f  ZEUNEN,  BRUSSELS 

"Judgment  of  Solomon  " 


[44] 


Clje  ^t»  Ee0i$  l^otel 


XVI  CENTURY  FLEMISH  TAPESTRIES 

BY   VAN  ZEUNEN,   BRUSSELS 

'Solomon  receiving  offers  from  Hiram,  King  of  Tyrus.  for  the  building  of  the  Tempk  of  Jerusalem  " 


[45] 


Cte  ^t«  Eegi$  ^otel 


XVI  CENTURY  FLEMISH  TAPESTRIES 

"  Flavins  —  The  Ordeal  of  Fire  " 

nishing  the  best  at  a  fair  reckoning.  Not  even  the  wealthiest  desires  to  be 
overcharged,  and  there  are  accommodations  open  to  the  transient  and  per- 
manent guest  of  the  St.  Regis  at  rates  ranging  upwards  from  five  dollars  a 
day  for  room  and  bath.  An  important  feature  is  also  made  of  the  restaurant, 
aiming  as  it  does  to  supply  the  epicure  with  the  greatest  delicacies  of  food 
and  wine,  to  furnish  the  most  sumptuous  banquet,  or  merely  to  cater  to 
the  democratic  palate  with  a  tastefully  prepared  cuisine  at  standard  rates. 
To  sum  up  in  a  few  words,  the  management  of  the  Hotel  St.  Regis 
provides,  in  a  hotel,  all  of  the  comforts  and  conveniences  as  well  as  the 
quiet  and  seclusion  that  a  gentleman  with  a  family  would  expect  in  his 
own  home,  or  which  would  be  theirs  were  they  the  guests  of  others. 


C!)e  ^t*  iRegi0  l^otel 


A-Ofr/v  WINDOW 

Q-CH££SlCLOTH  fil 
TERS 


CUCTf?IC  MOTOIf 


I  ■  DAMPER  IN  INDI- 
VIDUAL SHAFT 
CONTROLLED  BY 
J  -  THERMOSTAT 
K  -  ELECTRIC  MOTOR 
L- EXHAUST 


DIAGRAM  SHOWING    HOW  ABSOLUTELY  PURE    AIR  IS 
SUPPLIED 

Instead    oj    opening  windows,  the  air  is   drairn   (hrnugh 
cheese-doth  fillers,  properly  tempered,  and  forced  into 
the  rooms.     One  of  these  arrangements  suffices 
[or  four  floors 


[48] 


YD  24478 


Ivil0309(> 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


